Genealogical memoir of the most noble and ancient house of Drummond

sect, v. Of John Dn/mmond, 2d Earl of Perth. 135
• always marrying, or being married to ane gentleman of
' honourable and lawful descent, who shall perform the
' conditions above and under wi itten ;' and as the last
duke, William, was- the only remaining male-descendant
of Sir Wiriam Drurnmond and Lady Jean Ker, the first
daughter, and as no male-issue remains of Lady Anne
Ker, the second daughter, the succession to the honours;
and the estates of Roxburgh must necessarily devolve up-
on Sir Jame* Ihnes Ker, the great-grandson of Lady Mar-*.
garet Ker, the third daughter of Henry Lord Ker, to the
exclusion of every other competitor.
Lady Jean Ker, countess of Perth, lived in great es-
teem with all who knew her, and died much regretted in
K522.+ After her death her husband lived a widower for
4 On this mournful occasion, Mr. Drurnmond of Hawthorn-
den, the celebrated poet, wrote the follow ing beautiful elegy.
To the Memory of the most excellent Lady, Jane, Countess of
Perth.
This Beauty fair, which Death to dust did turn,
• And clos'dso soon within a coffin sad,
Did pass like lightning, like to thunder burn;
So little life, so much of worth it had !
Heavens but to shew their might here made it shiue,
And when admir'd, then, in the world's disdain,
O tears, O grief ! did call it back again,
Lest Earth should vaunt she kept what was divine.
What can we hope for more ? what more enjoy i
Since fairest things thus soonest have an end;
And, as on bodies shadows do atteud,
Since all our bliss is followed with annoy;
Yet she's not dead, she lives where she did love>
Her memory dwells on earth, her soul above.
M2